The City of Cape Town wants to remind residents that no dogs are allowed on the beach and dunes between the Lourens and Eerste River mouths. This area falls within the Helderberg Marine Protected Area and is an important breeding area for coastal birds, which includes the near threatened Black Oystercatcher.
The City’s Coastal Management Branch and Law Enforcement officials will monitor the area to advise and remind residents that no fishing is allowed along the Helderberg Marine Protected Area (MPA) coastline. Neither are any dogs allowed on the beach, or in the dunes.
‘The City’s Coastal Management Branch manages the Helderberg MPA on behalf of the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment in terms of the Marine Living Resources Act. We are compelled to ensure that this area is protected from interference that will impact the sensitive coastal environment.
‘We have been informed that some residents from the Helderberg area take their dogs to this stretch of beach to run free and play. This is not allowed as the area is a nesting and breeding area for coastal birds, one of them being the nearly threatened Black Oystercatcher who breeds in the sand. I’m asking residents to please comply and to take their dogs to areas where they are allowed,’ said the City’s Deputy Mayor and Mayoral Committee Member for Spatial Planning and Environment, Alderman Eddie Andrews.
Residents are reminded that the City will implement a zero tolerance enforcement and that those bringing dogs to the Helderberg MPA are liable for a fine of R2 500.
Dogs are not allowed on the following beaches:
- Helderberg Marine Protected Area
- Kogel Bay Resort
- Bikini Beach
- Gordon’s Bay Main Beach
- Hendon Park Resort
- Harmony Park
- Cayman Beach
- Strand Beach
Dogs are allowed on the following beaches:
- Gordon’s Bay from the northern corner of the parking area to the Fleur Park boundary, dogs can run free
- Fleur Park, dogs must be on a leash
- Edge of Cayman Beach to the end of Greenways, Strand, dogs can run free
- Greenways to the Strand swimming pool, dogs must be on a leash
‘I want to thank residents for their cooperation and understanding. We have to protect our vulnerable coastline and sensitive marine environment for generations to come. There are areas designated for dogs, and I advise all to familiarise themselves with the rules,’ said Alderman Andrews.
Caption: A map depicting the coastal areas and beaches in the Helderberg region where dogs are allowed, either to run free, or on a leash.
Source: City Of Cape Town